Royal Crescent, Bath (must see)
The Royal Crescent in Bath is a notable example of Georgian architecture. It comprises 30 terraced houses, designed by John Wood, the Younger, and constructed between 1767 and 1774. Recognized as a Grade I listed building, the Royal Crescent is a testament to the architectural grandeur of its time and remains a significant historical and cultural landmark.
Spanning 500 feet (about 150 meters), the crescent is distinguished by its 114 Ionic columns on the first floor, supporting an entablature designed in the Palladian style. This design element contributes to its classical and elegant appearance. The Royal Crescent holds the distinction of being the first crescent of terraced houses ever built, embodying the concept of "rus in urbe" or "the country in the city," thanks to its overlooking views of the parkland opposite.
Throughout its history of over 240 years, the Royal Crescent has been home to many notable figures, commemorated by plaques on the relevant buildings. The configuration of the crescent has evolved; of the original 30 townhouses, 10 remain full-size, 18 have been converted into flats of various sizes, one serves as the No. 1 Royal Crescent museum, and two (No. 16 and No. 15) now form The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa.
Constructed primarily from Bath stone, these houses have slate roofs, although they were originally tiled with stone. The external appearance of each house is remarkably similar, with only minor variations such as some featuring small balconettes on the first floor. Many windows have been restored to their original style with glazing bars, replacing the horned plate glass sash windows installed in later centuries. Despite various internal modifications over the years, the Georgian stone facade of the Royal Crescent has been meticulously preserved, maintaining much of its original aesthetic and charm.
Tips:
No. 1 Royal Cresent is a museum. Here you'll find it preserved as a historic house, with rooms, furniture, pictures, and other items depicting Georgian life between 1776 and 1796. Among the fully furnished and appointed rooms you can tour, there is a Parlour, a Gentleman's Retreat, a Withdrawing Room, Servant's Hall, Kitchen, and Scullery.
Spanning 500 feet (about 150 meters), the crescent is distinguished by its 114 Ionic columns on the first floor, supporting an entablature designed in the Palladian style. This design element contributes to its classical and elegant appearance. The Royal Crescent holds the distinction of being the first crescent of terraced houses ever built, embodying the concept of "rus in urbe" or "the country in the city," thanks to its overlooking views of the parkland opposite.
Throughout its history of over 240 years, the Royal Crescent has been home to many notable figures, commemorated by plaques on the relevant buildings. The configuration of the crescent has evolved; of the original 30 townhouses, 10 remain full-size, 18 have been converted into flats of various sizes, one serves as the No. 1 Royal Crescent museum, and two (No. 16 and No. 15) now form The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa.
Constructed primarily from Bath stone, these houses have slate roofs, although they were originally tiled with stone. The external appearance of each house is remarkably similar, with only minor variations such as some featuring small balconettes on the first floor. Many windows have been restored to their original style with glazing bars, replacing the horned plate glass sash windows installed in later centuries. Despite various internal modifications over the years, the Georgian stone facade of the Royal Crescent has been meticulously preserved, maintaining much of its original aesthetic and charm.
Tips:
No. 1 Royal Cresent is a museum. Here you'll find it preserved as a historic house, with rooms, furniture, pictures, and other items depicting Georgian life between 1776 and 1796. Among the fully furnished and appointed rooms you can tour, there is a Parlour, a Gentleman's Retreat, a Withdrawing Room, Servant's Hall, Kitchen, and Scullery.
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Royal Crescent on Map
Sight Name: Royal Crescent
Sight Location: Bath, England (See walking tours in Bath)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Bath, England (See walking tours in Bath)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Bath, England
Create Your Own Walk in Bath
Creating your own self-guided walk in Bath is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Jane Austen Walking Tour
Jane Austen, 1775-1817, was a renowned British author. Her groundbreaking novels offer a witty and humorous look at Regency-era life. Austen's six novels have since inspired many popular TV adaptations and films.
Jane Austen lived in Bath from 1801 to 1806. Two of her novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, were set in this beautiful Georgian city. While interiors have certainly been... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Jane Austen lived in Bath from 1801 to 1806. Two of her novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, were set in this beautiful Georgian city. While interiors have certainly been... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Historical Homes Walking Tour
Apart from its Roman thermae, the city of Bath is renowned for its prominent residents who used to live here a long time ago. Their former dwellings 鈥� historical monuments in their own right 鈥� now offer a captivating glimpse into the city's glorious past.
Among the most famous of them, undoubtedly, is the Jane Austen Centre. This charming Georgian townhouse provides a fascinating look... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Among the most famous of them, undoubtedly, is the Jane Austen Centre. This charming Georgian townhouse provides a fascinating look... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Georgian Architecture Walking Tour
Another prominent attraction of Bath is its wonderful Georgian architecture. Many a street and square here are richly adorned with distinctively stylish buildings. In large part, the city owes it to two architects 鈥� father and son: John Wood, the Elder, and John Wood, the Younger. Constructed mostly from Bath Stone, a creamy limestone obtained in Combe Down and Bathampton Down Miles, these... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Bath Introduction Walking Tour
The only English city designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, Bath is a gorgeous city packed with history. Artifacts have been found from the Bronze and Iron Age in the surrounding hills. The Romans were the first to build around the remarkable hot mineral springs at the beginning of the first century. They constructed a temple and baths here, and since then, people have flocked to Bath for its... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles